I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

43 – Using the Tiger as a Stepping Stone -5-

“I’ll leave the cup and spoon here. The bright color makes them easy to see.”

“Okay…”

Rohan, who had cleaned and placed the extra cup and spoon for Clara, started moving his hands to another task.

He took out the instant rice and ingredients for side dishes from the shelf for cooking.

“It’ll take a while, so if you’re bored, you can watch TV. I’ll call you when it’s done.”

“Uh-huh, I’ll watch from here.”

Clara, curious about the cooking process, stood next to Rohan with a delighted face, continuing to observe.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t cooked much since coming here.’

With that thought, Rohan washed the vegetables and neatly placed them on the cutting board.

He shook off the water from his hands and grabbed the kitchen knife.

Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!

Onions, carrots, and green onions placed on the cutting board are being chopped swiftly.

Clara, who was watching the elegant process, asked in a cheerful voice.

“Do you like cooking, oppa?”

“Rather than liking cooking, I thought it was efficient to control food expenses to save on living costs.”

“Oh…!”

This was a story focused on the previous life.

However, even in the academy city of Elysium, it wasn’t much different in that regard.

“These days, I only cook on weekends. On weekdays, I can manage at the academy.”

Without the cheap academy cafeteria for students, it would have been financially tough.

Without that means, I might have wasted points on shop skills to forget my hunger.

‘I don’t want to be obsessed with money… but having some degree of it gives peace of mind.’

I had experienced poverty tiresomely until I became a hunter. Poverty itself was tedious.

So, I know how much material scarcity can gnaw at a person.

That’s why I hate poverty.

If my wallet were thinner than it is now, I would have had to calculate the balance in my head when buying Clara something delicious, and I would have had to ponder over and over again about giving a gift to the store manager.

It’s an unpleasant picture just to imagine.

I didn’t want to be stingy in that direction.

“Rohan oppa.”

“Yes?”

“If I get a status in Academy City and live in a house with a kitchen… it would be nice to cook myself, right?”

Clara’s current house doesn’t even have a kitchen.

Rohan felt sorry about that.

“If Clara wants to, cooking is a good hobby. I don’t think you need to force yourself if you don’t want to.”

“I, I’d like to try if I knew how, but I’ve never done it before…”

“Shall we make something together next time? Following a recipe is enough.”

“!”

Nod, nod, nod, nod.

Clara nodded vigorously with a face that said she wanted to. Her twin tails swayed back and forth.

Rohan hooked his finger as Clara requested and promised, then continued cooking.

Once the instant rice was microwaved and put into bowls, the preparation was complete.

Sitting across from each other at the table, they felt a special warmth that made them naturally smile.

“Let’s eat!”

“Eat a lot.”

“You too, oppa! Hehe…”

Clara hummed a tune as she picked up her spoon for the simple meal Rohan had prepared.

The girl tasted the food with a face that transparently showed her joy.

Then her eyes widened.

“Oppa’s cooking is delicious…!”

“Just hearing that makes it all worth it.”

From Rohan’s perspective, he was simply grateful that the simple meal he had prepared was being enjoyed so much.

Seeing such admiration for something so simple made him worry about what they usually ate.

One person who would be restraining themselves from eating what they wanted.

‘Sion.’

The aloof princess flitted through Rohan’s consciousness.

But now was not the time to bring her up to Clara.

‘Talking about serious matters while eating can cause indigestion.’

It would be fine to bring up the main topic after finishing what needed to be done.

Eating should be done comfortably, shouldn’t it?

After finishing the meal with some light chatter.

Clara exhaled a satisfied breath, patting her slim belly that hadn’t even bulged.

Phew… I’m full…

Did you eat a lot?

Yes! I ate well!

I’ll put the side dishes in containers and store them in the fridge, so come and eat whenever you’re hungry. Just heat them up as I showed you earlier, and they’ll be ready in no time.

As Rohan cleaned up the dishes, he continued explaining to the girl while placing the large number of comic books he had received from Noah and the items he had purchased.

Especially the washing machine, which was a different model from the one in Clara’s room, so a simple explanation was necessary.

Just fill the detergent up to this line. The fabric softener goes in the compartment right next to it.

Got it! I understand.

Clothes that need to be hand-washed or have zippers and decorations should be put in the laundry net we bought earlier to prevent damage. Make sure to use it.

“Ah…!”

The girl who fled after only receiving spy training in Geno didn’t know these things.

Clara nodded as she understood the use of the laundry net and listened attentively to what Rohan was telling her.

“This should be about it. If I’m not here, don’t open the door for anyone. Got it?”

“Got it!”

Rohan, who was quietly watching the girl excitedly over small things, had a change of heart.

Even if things didn’t go as planned in bringing Clara into the group, he decided to just let her live well.

Because this is reality, not a game.

Forcing her to do something she didn’t want to do might make things harsh in the future.

“Clara.”

“Yes?”

The girl turned around with a smiling face as if she had been called.

Rohan smiled bitterly at her innocent reaction and suggested.

“Um… Shall we go for a walk to digest?”

…

…

The two walked with drinks in their hands.

Rohan had coffee, and Clara had fruit juice just in case.

“You said you’d use hot water starting Monday, right?”

“Yeah. Is it okay if I use it…?”

Rohan nodded affirmatively, saying it was obvious.

“Anytime is fine. I’ll keep the window unlocked.”

“Hehe.”

Clara smiled pleasantly at the repeated confirmation.

“Even if I’m away for a long time, feel free to use it.”

“Away for a long time…? Because of the academy?”

“The academy doesn’t have any training plans that extensive yet. It’s just… I might be away for a few days because of other matters.”

Clara blinked, trying to understand Rohan’s words.

The girl, who had taken her lips off the straw, showed curiosity.

“Do you work somewhere other than the Spider Lily Bookstore?”

“If you consider it work…? You could see it that way.”

“Uh-huh?”

Clara tilted her head in curiosity as Rohan rarely showed a subtle reaction.

“There’s a direction I’m paying attention to, trying to make it my main job. The bookstore part-time job is also part of the foundation for that work.”

“Is it okay if I ask what kind of work you’re trying to do?”

“I haven’t told anyone around me yet, but it’s ultimately related to force.”

“Then am I the first to hear about it…?”

“Yeah. That’s how it is.”

Hearing that it was related to force, she thought it might be something serious.

It was undeniable that he was happy to be the first person to hear it.

“Do you want to listen?”

“If it’s okay with you, oppa…!”

Rohan smiled as he watched Clara answer without a hint of hesitation.

After confirming that no one was around, he stopped walking. It was a desolate alley near the dormitory.

“As you know, Clara, I come from the South, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Graduates of Orion Academy usually return to their home countries and join a reputable military unit.”

Rohan wet his throat with coffee and continued the story.

“But that doesn’t mean there are no paths for cadets like me who have nowhere to return after graduation. It’s not uncommon for graduates to immigrate to another country.”

“…”

“There’s only two years left until graduation. If there’s a lot to prepare, it’s a short time, but if you just let your mind wander, it’s a long time.”

Two years left, so does that mean there’s a lot to prepare?

Clara absentmindedly watched Rohan’s mouth as his voice flowed out while sipping on her straw.

“I’m considering two options.”

“Two options…”

“One is to join a military group in another country after graduation.”

“And the other?”

Rohan paused at Clara’s question.

Taking a sip of coffee and pausing briefly, Rohan looked into the girl’s eyes and informed her.

“You’re staying in the Academy City. As a security officer or a freelancer.”

“!”

Then I can keep seeing you.

That was the first thought that naturally came to Clara’s mind.

“What I want to achieve right now is the latter. I like the Academy City, and working independently suits me well.”

A statement as if she had gone through all sorts of hardships and had completely finished her introspection and reflection.

The girl blinked quietly.

There wasn’t much of an age difference, but Clara could only admire how clear her direction was.

“Clara.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have anything you want to do in the future?”

“I, I don’t know…”

She shook her head weakly.

The path ahead was so dark that she couldn’t even imagine beyond it.

“It’s okay. Clara, you’ve done well so far. You can take your time to find out about the future.”

“…!”

It was a strong appeal, as if she knew everything, rather than just empty words.

Clara felt a whirlwind of intense emotions in her chest.

“Clara.”

“Uh, yes!”

A voice tinged with moisture. Clara answered, lowering her voice in embarrassment.

Rohan asked with a gentle smile.

“Until you find what you want to do. Will you stay with me?”